NWE Football Registration Continues Today
July 17, 2010
Registration will take place today for Northwest Escambia football in Walnut Hill.
Registration will continue each Saturday in July at Ernest Ward Middle School from 10 a.m. until noon.
The cost is $70 for the first child, $35 for the second child and free for additional children in the same family. Teams are available for children 5 to 13 years old. Birth certificates and social security cards are needed for each child for registration.
How To Pick That Perfect Summer Watermelon
July 17, 2010
One of the best ways to celebrate summer is to enjoy sweet, ripe watermelons. But knowing when to harvest or buying the best one is not always an easy chore. Of all the hard-to-choose fruits, watermelon is one of the toughest to select. The hard rind of a watermelon can be up to an inch thick and doesn’t soften as it ripens. It’s green when ripe and green when unripe. So, how do you select a juicy, sweet watermelon?
Your best bet is to grow your own or buy local and “in season”, through mid-July. Collin Adcock, Extension Agent in Washington County, provides us some tips on how to know when to harvest watermelons from your garden.
Choosing a ripe watermelon from the field or garden can be much easier than choosing a ripe one in the store. The ability to recognize a ripe melon comes from years of experience and careful observation. In the garden there are several clues to help determine the ripeness of a melon that one does not always have in the store.
Most people rely on four methods of determining melon ripeness in the field.
First, look at the tendril or “pigtail” closest to the melon. When this tendril turns brown and dries out, it is a good sign that the melon is ripe.
Next, look at the bottom of the melon where it lays on the ground. When this area, sometimes referred to as the “color spot”, turns from white to a light yellow, there is a good chance the watermelon is ripe.
Then look at the rind. When the rind becomes rough to the touch and turns from a more shiny color to a more dull color and is resistant to penetration by the thumbnail it is a sign of melon ripeness.
The last method is the thump test. This is done by thumping the top of the melon. If the watermelon has a dull thud when thumped, it is very possible the melon is ripe. Unripe melons will usually have a tighter, ringing or hollow sound. Be careful when using this test because it is not always reliable. Watermelons do not always give off a dull thud when ripe. For some watermelons a dull thud may indicate an over-ripe melon.
Only a melon’s taste can provide definitive proof as to its ripeness. A foolproof approach is to cut open several melons that appear to be ripe (based on the above methods), and then taste all of the melons and decide which one has the best taste. After locating the best tasting watermelon note the condition of the closest tendril, the color spot, how the thump sounds, and the shine of the rind along with melon size. Harvest all those that have similar characteristics.
When buying a watermelon, you should look for “a firm, symmetrical watermelon that is free of bruises, cuts or dents” according to the National Watermelon Promotion Board.
When you see a nice-looking watermelon, pick it up and feel its heft; then pick up a few others of similar size to compare. At 92 percent water, a good melon should feel heavy for its size.
How do you know a watermelon ripened on the vine? Easy, turn the melon over and check for a creamy yellow spot. That’s a sign that the watermelon sat on the ground and in the sun to ripen. The yellow spot is the only place the sun didn’t hit.
Theresa Friday is the Residential Horticulture Extension Agent for Santa Rosa County.
Firefighters, Facebook Group Fighting To Keep Park Open
July 17, 2010
Citizens across the area are lining up online and an Alabama firefighter’s groups is organizing a meeting Monday, to support Little River State Forest.
Little River, formerly known as Claude D. Kelley State Park, is located north of Atmore along Highway 21 on the Escambia -Monroe county line. It includes about 2,100 acres of longleaf pine forest with fishing on a 25-acre lake, hiking, swimming and camping.
The Alabama Forestry Commission, which manages the park, has announced that it will close September 30 due to a $5 million shortfall in the department’s overall budget.
That closure announcement led to public outcry, including a Facebook page “Keep Little River Park open”, which boasted almost 1,750 members as of early Saturday morning. And now, the Alabama Association of Volunteer Fire Departments (AAVFD) has joined the fight, announcing a public meeting Monday in Monroeville.
The AAVFD and the Alabama Forestry Commission’s public meeting will be held at 5 p.m. Monday at the Monroeville Water Tower and Conference Center on East Claiborne Street. The area’s legislative delegation has also been invited to the meeting.
On the Facebook page, person after person has shared their memories of the park as well as photos. Here are a few posts:
- Winnie Nichols: Closing Little State Park would be destroying memories yet to be created. I would love for my great grand-children to be able to visit, enjoy and learn to love nature so abundant in this park. To allow it to close would be destroying a living treasure which we so cherish and really need in lower Alabama. Please find a way to keep it open.
- Alisha Linam: My grandparents got engaged while parked in the spillway one full moon night back in 1950 and I have many fond memories of childhood Saturday afternoons spent there. It would be a tragedy if it is closed.
- Mary Wood: Keep Little River Park open, there are too many memories there to just let it go.
- Patty Helton Davis: I cannot imagine this park closing. It is hard to believe that cannot come up with travel trailer park or something to raise additional cash. They do it at George Stone Park on Highway 4
To visit the “Keep Little River State Park open” Facebook page, click here.
John Emmett Conn, Jr.
July 16, 2010
Mr. John Emmett Conn, Jr., 89, passed away on Thursday, July 15, 2010 at a Mobile, AL hospital.
Mr. Conn was a native of Clarke County, AL, a longtime resident of Canoe, AL, a graduate of Indiana Technical University, and served as a Navy Seabee in the WWII Pacific Theatre. He owned and operated the Conn Construction Company and the Conn Engineering Company , he served as a longtime board member of United Bank and attended the Church of Christ.
Preceded in death by his Parents, John E. and Alma Conn, Sr., and four Siblings, Sarah Nell White, Laura Sharplen, Margaret Tyree, and Harold Conn. Survivors include: his Wife of 64 years, Carolyn Hall Conn of Canoe, AL; and other relatives.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 17, 2010 at 11:00 A.M. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with the Minister Norman Newberry officiating. Burial will follow at the Hall Family Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Friday, July 16, 2010 between 6:00 and 8:00 P.M .at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Escambia Academy, 268 Cowpen Creek Road, Atmore, AL 36502.
Franklin “Billy” Wilson
July 16, 2010
Franklin “Billy” Wilson of Molino passed away Wednesday, July 14, 2010.
He was a veteran of the U. S. Army and retired as a Sergeant First Class after a long and dedicated career. After retirement, he settled in his home town of Molino to farm and spend time with family and friends.
He is survived by his wife, Pamela K. Wilson; one sister, Lillie (Andy) Anderson; one stepsister, Barbara J. (Dennis) Edmondson; stepson, Chris (Sheila) Colvin; stepdaughter, Charmaine Hays; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
A visitation will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, July 19, 2010 at Pensacola Memorial Gardens Funeral Home until services begin at 12:00 noon with Reverend Brian Calhoun officiating.
Interment, with military honors, will follow at 1:15 p.m. at Barrancas National Cemetery.
Norma I. Yerg
July 16, 2010
Norma I. Yerg, 79, passed away on Tuesday, July 13, 2010. We lost a wonderful mother and wife. Norma would have been 80 at the end of July. She was dearly loved and will be greatly missed.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Grover and Elsie Davis; brother, J. W. Davis; sister, Travis Mandel and mother-in-law, Mary Yerg.
She leaves behind her husband of 61 years, Stephen M. Yerg, Jr.; four children, Stevie (Blieka) Yerg, Phillip (Jodie) Yerg, Keith Yerg and daughter, Stephanie (Greg) Carlisle; two granddaughters, Brittany Yerg and Alicia Yerg; one great-grandson Michael Butler; three sisters, Louise, Gurvis, and Marie.
Funeral services will be at 2:30 P.M. on Saturday, July 17, 2010 at Pensacola Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home. Visitation will begin at 1:30 P.M. until service time .
The family would like to thank the nurses and doctors at Covenant Hospice for their care and support. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Covenant Hospice in Norma’s memory.
Bobby J. Lassiter
July 16, 2010
Bobby J. Lassiter, 75, of Cantonment, FL. died Thursday July 15, 2010, at his home, surrounded by his wife of 56 years and all of their children.
He was retired from Southern Bell Telephone Co. after 30 Years, he was born January 02, 1935 in McCullough, AL. to the late Chester and Lucille Wall Lassiter. He loved to fish, hunt and farm, and was an honest hardworking man that loved his family. He was proud to be a 32nd degree mason and he served in the Army National Guard. He was preceded in death by a brother Charles Lassiter.
Survivors are: His Wife, Rosie Lassiter. Two Sons: Darrell (Mary) Lassiter, Gerald (Nora) Lassiter. Four Daughters, Patricia (Mark) Lockridge, Sheila (Frank) Champion, Sandra (Alan) Milstead and Cindy Ard. A Sister, Cubie Dean Brooks. Two Brothers, Douglas Lassiter and Woodrow Lassiter. Two very special Sisters-In-Law, Louise Lassiter and Elizabeth Lassiter. Twenty Grandchildren, Bobby, Brett, Samantha, Amanda, Gail, T.J., Kelly, Michael, Krista, Brandon, Richard, Brad, Aaron, Travis, Waylon, Eric, Jeff, Mary, Matthew and Clara. Fifteen Great-Grandchildren, Numerous family and friends.
Services will be Tuesday July 20, 2010 at 9AM from Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Mike Perkins officiating. Interment will follow in McCullough Cemetery. Pallbearers will be the Grandson’s.
Family will receive friends, Monday evening July 19, 2010 at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.
The family would like to extend a Special Thank You to Missy and all of the Nurses and staff at Covenant Hospice for the wonderful dedication and care they gave to my Husband and our Father.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home, Inc. in charge of all arrangements. Atmore, AL.
Fiddler’s Convention Saturday; Proceeds Benefit High School Students
July 16, 2010
The 31st South Alabama Old Time Fiddler’s Convention will be held Saturday at the Escambia County High School auditorium.
The event begins at 2 p.m., and the Atmore Rotary Club’s award-winning BBQ will be for sale. The auditorium is located at 1215 South Presley Street (near Food World) in Atmore.
The event is sponsored by the Atmore Rotary Club, with proceeds going toward the club’s Academic All-Stars Program that honors high school students that maintain A and B averages during the school year. The awards are presented to students from Northview High School, Escambia County (AL) High School, Escambia Academy and Atmore Christian School.
Musicians and singers will compete for cash prizes up to $1,000 in various categories like fiddlers, vocal groups, bands, dobro, banjo, guitar and mandolin.
The competition categories and prize money are:
- Vocal Band $200/$100/$50
- String Band $200/$100/$50
- Guitar $100/$75/$50
- Mandolin $100/$75/$50
- Banjo $100/$75/$50
- Dobro $100/$75/$50
- Fiddle $1000/$200/$100
16-Year Old Jailed After Deputy’s Tire Shot Out
July 16, 2010
A 16-year old was jailed after allegedly dumping a firearm into the middle of a North Escambia street, eventually leading to a shot being fired into a deputy’s tire.
The juvenile was charged with culpable negligence exposure to harm, carrying a concealed weapon, improper exhibition of a firearm or dangerous weapon, possession of a firearm unlawfully by a minor, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and tampering with or destroying evidence.
The incident began at 3:23 Wednesday morning when Deputy Scott Rivkin conducted a traffic stop on a black Eagle Talon with no headlights near North Century Boulevard and Henry Streets. The driver of the vehicle was given a warning for failing to use his headlights. The 16-year was the passenger in the vehicle. Both left the area.
About five minutes later, Rivkin was traveling on North Century Boulevard in the same area as the traffic stop when when he heard what he believed to be a gunshot. Upon investigation, he discovered a .22 caliber pistol in the middle of North Century Boulevard. When the right rear wheel of the deputy’s cruiser rolled over the weapon, it had fired a round, flattening the tire. Next to the revolver, the deputy discovered one empty shell casing and five live rounds of ammunition.
While Deputy Rivkin was still parked on North Century Boulevard, he noticed the driver from the previous traffic stop and the 16-year approaching him on foot. The two were separated and questioned as the Flomaton Police Department responded for backup.
The driver told authorities that the juvenile had dropped the gun out of the vehicle’s window just prior to the traffic stop and that the pair had returned to the area to retrieve the gun. The 16-year old told deputies that he had purchased the gun from an individual, and he provided a bill of sale. He admitted to dropping the gun out of the vehicle window.
The 16-year old, a resident of Ivey Street in Century, was arrested and released into the custody of the Department of Youth Services. He was being held with bond set at $21,000.
Angel Food Donates 80,000 Pounds Of Food
July 16, 2010
Two tractor trailers loaded with food rolled up to the Gateway Church of Christ in Pensacola on Thursday morning for distribution to volunteers from 55 local organizations — including several in North Escambia — to help put it into the hands of those in need for free.
About 80 thousand pounds was delivered Thursday to a distribution site in Pensacola to assist families and workers impacted by the loss of work and business due to the Gulf oil disaster.
The food was from Angel Food Ministries, an organization dedicated to providing affordable, high-quality food to those in need.
“We have many oil workers who have come here to take care of the oil that washes up here; meanwhile no one is allowed in the water to fish or otherwise, and we have lost so much due to lack of tourism and commerce,” said Pat Senkow, Angel Food Outreach minister for the region. “In Escambia county we have 1,200 homeless children, and Santa Rosa County has 4,700 known homeless before the oil spoiled what we did have.”
North Escambia area organizations that participate in Angel Food Ministries include: Allen Memorial United Methodist Church, Pine Forest Assembly of God, New Life Baptist Church of Century, and the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. For more information about participating in the Angel Food program, call 1-888-819-3745 or visit www.angelfoodministries.com to find the nearest host site.